Humanities & Teacher Education

Course Descriptions: Humanities

The following abbreviations denote a course that satisfies or partially satisfies a particular general education requirement: GE (General Education), PS (Presentation Skills), RM (Research Methods), and WI (Writing Intensive).

HUM 111. Western Culture I (3)
An introduction to the West, with particular emphasis on knowledge and comprehension. Students will achieve basic cultural literacy in the following time periods: Prehistoric, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Medieval Europe (30,000 BC-AD 1300). (GE).

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HUM 212. Western Culture II (3)
An analysis and interpretation of six major historical "events" during the time period 1300-1815 and their cultural implications: the Renaissance, the Reformation, intercultural encounters, science, the Enlightenment, and the French Revolution. Students will achieve cultural literacy in these areas and develop skills in cultural interpretation and analysis. Prerequisite: HUM 111. (GE).

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HUM 292. Selected Topics (1-4)

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HUM 295. Enriching the International Experience (0-1)
This course is designed to enrich the student's international experience by providing opportunities to engage more fully with the culture and to reflect more deeply on the experience. It is the goal of this course to help students know how to look at and listen to their new culture and how to give meaning to their international experience. Taught only in International Programs. May be repeated in a different location.

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HUM 299. Directed Studies (1-4)
Consent of the divisional chairperson is required.

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HUM 300. Introduction to the Humanities (4)
Students will explore the nature of the humanities, specifically dealing with the problems of human culture and the problem of understanding. Students will also explore the religion, art, philosophy, history, and literature of a culture. Special attention will be paid to the relationships between the various expressions of human understanding. This course should be taken as soon as possible. Prerequisites: HIST 304, HUM 111, HUM 212, and HUM 313. HUM 313 may be taken concurrently if the culture to be explored is not covered in HUM 313. (WI, RM, PS).

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HUM 301. Philosophy and the Christian Religion (4)
An in-depth investigation of the rational bases for the Christian faith, with special emphasis on competing world views such as Marxism, scientific humanism, existentialism, and the relationship between Christianity and other world religions. It would be preferable that the student have some previous work in philosophy and/or theology before taking this course.

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HUM 313. Western Culture III (3)
Focused on a particular topic in modern culture, the course will use historical narrative of the period from 1815 to the present as a background for investigation into a particular theme or themes. Students will engage with and assess varying cultural and historical interpretations. Students will achieve cultural literacy in the modern period and demonstrate their skill in synthesizing and evaluating diverse historical and cultural interpretations. Prerequisite: HUM 212. (GE).

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HUM 592. Selected Topics (1-4)

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HUM 599. Directed Studies (1-4)
Consent of the divisional chairperson is required.

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Although the above are excerpted from the 2008-2009 Seaver catalog this is not an official binding document. To view the actual catalog visit: http://seaver.pepperdine.edu/academics/catalog/